Short: should keep tight-lipped

The government's critics should "shut up for the summer", the deputy prime minister has said.

John Prescott, who will lead the government while the Blairs enjoy their summer holiday in Barbados, gave short shrift to the growing band of Labour rebels.

During an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, he called on MPs such as former Cabinet ministers Robin Cook and Clare Short to maintain a dignified silence.

"Can I say to some of my colleagues: 'Can you start thinking long and hard a bit about what we are doing?'" he said.

"Can you say a little bit more about what we have done and a little less about all the criticisms?

"Can I give them a little advice: 'will they talk up a Labour government, not talk it down?'

"If they want to make the criticisms, make the criticisms, but for God's sake, we are coming up to six years. We've got a damn good record.

"I'm going to say more and more about that and those who want to get across and put our case to the media and try to get them to report some of the good things being done by six years of a Labour government."

"For God's sake, can you shut up for the summer and let me get on with my job?" he added.

Prescott also predicted that communications director Alastair Campbell would leave Downing Street.

"Alastair Campbell has done a tremendous job for the Labour Party...and I am sure, as he made clear, he wants to do it for a period of time and then leave," he said.

"That's his judgement, but at the end of the day, a Labour government will not be judged on Alastair Campbell or anybody else.

"It will be judged on what it did, on its record in its terms of office in the six years."

Prescott said voters should "judge us on what we do, not what people are saying in the media".